EBACE 2011: Jet Aviation to Provide MRO at Al Bateen, Air Works May Follow

In the continuing development of Al Bateen Executive Airport into a dedicated business aviation hub, the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), owner of the airport, and Jet Aviation Group signed a lease agreement at EBACE yesterday that will make the aviation services company the first independent MRO provider on the field.

Jet Aviation has been providing MRO services at Dubai International Airport, just across the border from Abu Dhabi, since 2005 through its Jet Aviation Dubai affiliate. Under the terms of the agreement signed yesterday, Jet Aviation will provide line maintenance at Al Bateen through a newly formed branch of Jet Aviation Dubai named Jet Aviation Abu Dhabi.

“We have often provided aircraft-on-the-ground (AOG) services to all types of aircraft at Al Bateen for the past few years, and it makes perfect sense for us to expand our service delivery to Abu Dhabi,” said Michael Rucker, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Dubai.

Steve Jones, general manager of Al Bateen Airport, cited Jet Aviation’s “excellent reputation for quality and business expertise” at the signing. “We are very happy to have such a globally recognized brand” delivering FBO services at the airport, he said.

Jet Aviation Abu Dhabi plans to commence operations once all trade licenses are in hand.

While Jet Aviation may be the first MRO provider on the field, it may soon have company. ADAC also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at EBACE yesterday with New Delhi-based Air Works, which provides MRO services as well as aircraft painting and refinishing. Air Works currently has 14 locations across India and is an authorized service center for AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Bombardier, Embraer, Garmin, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and Superjet International. Under the MOU, ADAC and Air Works will enter discussions aimed at having the company open a facility at the airport.

“Air Works and Al Bateen are a natural fit,” Jones said, and Air Works general manager Vivek M. Gour agreed, calling the proposed arrangement “highly beneficial for both parties. It provides Air Works access to world-class infrastructure at the airport to provide high quality MRO services to business aircraft in the region. In turn, Al Bateen will be able to add a critical element to its portfolio in its question to offer a full suite of products and services to its customers.”